BJP-JD (S) power-sharing talks fail

Bangalore, Nov 18 (ANI): A day before the Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government is scheduled to prove its majority in the Karnataka Assembly, the talks between newly appointed Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy over the 12-point MoU failed here today. JD (S) chief H D Deve Gowda had told the BJP leadership that signing the MoU was a must for JD (S) support, and gave November 18 as the deadline for signing it. The JDS has put off its decision whether to vote in favour of the Yedyyurappa government till Monday. The BJP has reportedly rejected the JD (S) demand of signing the MoU, saying that it did not form the part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP). The latest development has cast a doubt on whether the JD (S) would support the BJP-led government in the State. However, the BJP is sticking to the power sharing agreement reached between the two parties in 2006, and Yeddyurappa expressed confidence of winning the trust vote on Monday, after his meeting with Kumaraswamy, Yeddyurappa refused to give the details of his talks with Kumaraswamy. The JD (S) demands include, the post of Deputy Chief Minister to the JD (S) nominee, and portfolios of ministries in consultation with Kumaraswamy. Further, the JD (S) has demanded portfolios of Mines and Geology and Urban Development, which have been rejected by Yeddyurappa. He has also rejected JD (S) demand for non-induction of former minister and BJP leader B Sriramulu, who had filed a criminal complaint in August against Kumarswamy, into the Ministry. Eighteen Ministers belonging to the coalition partner JD (S), including the deputy Chief Minister, are likely to take oath after the government wins a vote of confidence. Yeddyurappa was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on November 12, becoming the first BJP leader to head a government in south India. Karnataka was placed under President’s rule on October 9 and the state legislature was suspended after BJP and JD (S), which headed the coalition government, locked horns over power swap for the Chief Minister’s post for the next 20 months. The JD (S) made an about turn on transfer of power agreement, but a fortnight later patched up with the BJP, which staked claim to form the government on October 27. The Union Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs took the decision to revoke President’s rule in the state earlier this month. (ANI)